Dorothy Ahlf Wheatcraft

At JAX I work as a Mass Spectrometry Scientist, as part of the Protein Sciences Service. We cover many disciplines of analytical mass spec, from proteomics (top-down and bottom-up), metabolomics (discovery and targeted), imaging mass spectrometry, to classic DMPK-style studies. We support close to 70 professors across multiple campuses, as well as JMCRS as needed. As a postdoc, I worked on merging the data from Imaging Mass Spectrometry of proteins with that obtained by Confocal Raman Microscopy. Imaging Mass Spectrometry allows for the specific identification of protein species, however has relatively broad spatial distribution. Confocal Raman Microscopy however, allows for the broad identification of many different features in a very small spatial distribution. CRIMSON* is a project attempting to merge these two worlds and correlate features such as protein distribution with never-before-correlated features such as membrane fluidity. Previously I developed a methodology for the application of Top-Down proteomics to interesting biological samples to obtain the characterization of a proteome possible by monitoring post-translational modifications, peptide cleavages, and other unique events. Applications platforms of interest include apoptosis and senescence cell models, due to the numbers of known and unknown changes occurring within these global cellular processes. Work includes development in separations, RPLC, cell biology, classic proteomics techniques, mass spectrometry, and software analysis. Specialties: Technical Specialties: High-resolution mass spectrometry; liquid chromatography; mammalian cell culture; protein separation and enrichment techniques for mass spectrometry; standard biochemical techniques in protein characterization; Imaging Mass Spectrometry; Raman Spectroscopy, CRM; Additional Specialties: Oral and written presentation of scientific research, some experience in training and tutoring in the areas of Chemistry and Biology.